Military Green on the Campus: A Journey of Growth for Students of the Vietnam Aviation Academy

Binh Duong – Under the blazing sun of the training grounds at the Center for National Defense and Security Education (NDSE) – Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM), the steady marching of students from the Vietnam Aviation Academy (VAA) echoes with discipline and pride. Donning military uniforms, these young trainees are not just fulfilling a curriculum requirement – they are stepping into an environment that challenges their limits, cultivates responsibility, and strengthens their character.

National Defense Education: More Than a Course

At VAA, the National Defense and Security Education module is not just an academic obligation. It is a unique opportunity for students to immerse themselves in a structured, collective, and purpose-driven lifestyle. Conducted at one of the most well-equipped centers in southern Vietnam, the course combines classroom knowledge with hands-on military training, providing a deeply transformative experience.

Living in a disciplined environment, students wake up early, attend formation drills, follow strict schedules, and participate in physical training. The transition from the comfort of dormitories and classrooms to life in a military camp is initially jarring for many, but soon becomes a source of pride and growth.

The Opening Ceremony of Course 442 was jointly organized by the Vietnam Aviation Academy and the Center for National Defense and Security Education – Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City.

Stories from the Training Ground

Nguyen Thi Minh Chau, a second-year student majoring in Aviation Business Administration, recalled: “The first few days were tough. Waking up at 5 a.m., following strict rules—it was overwhelming. But I gradually realized this was a chance to build discipline and learn how to live with purpose and respect.”

A training session for students taking the course on National Defense and Security Education.

One afternoon, during a tactical training session, a group of students from Class K22QLB1 practiced crawling under barriers and executing field maneuvers. Despite the heat and physical exhaustion, no one gave up. When a student sprained his ankle, classmates quickly helped him to the medical tent and took turns caring for him. Those moments are “lessons more valuable than any written in books – lessons about camaraderie and human kindness.”

Students taking commemorative photos after their training sessions.

Evenings were reserved for group activities: storytelling, talent shows, and heartfelt sharing sessions. “I’ve never felt this connected to my classmates,” said Tran Anh Khoa, an Aeronautical Engineering student. “This experience made us a family.”

Students participate in musical and cultural exchanges after their field training sessions.

More Than Military Drills – A Life Lesson

Through this course, students gain essential knowledge of national defense and civic duty, while acquiring critical soft skills: self-discipline, teamwork, crisis management, and endurance. These competencies are invaluable in aviation—an industry that demands precision, coordination, and emotional resilience.

Equally important, lectures on national sovereignty, border protection, and civil defense foster a deep sense of patriotism and citizenship. Students come away with a stronger awareness of their role in safeguarding the nation and contributing to society with integrity and professionalism.

VAA-Supported, Publicly Trusted

Thanks to the close collaboration between VAA and the NDSE Center of VNU-HCM, the course is seamlessly organized and highly effective. From teaching quality and logistics to student support and communications, every detail is handled with care.

On VAA’s social media platforms and news channels, powerful images capture students in uniform saluting the national flag, marching in unison, or studying attentively in the field. These snapshots of youth and responsibility have resonated widely—symbolizing the Academy’s commitment to shaping students who are not only intellectually equipped but also socially conscious and physically resilient.

A training exercise for students in the National Defense and Security Education course.

At the Vietnam Aviation Academy, National Defense and Security Education is more than a module—it’s a rite of passage. A time when students trade textbooks for rifles, leisure for discipline, and comfort for community. And in doing so, they emerge not only as future professionals of the aviation industry but as capable, confident citizens of Vietnam.

Faculty of Basic Science-HQT